As California grapples with one of its largest wildfires in history, Ronnie Dean Stout II, the man accused of starting the Park Fire, maintains his innocence, claiming the fire began accidentally. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey provided insights into the ongoing investigation, revealing conflicting accounts and strong evidence against Stout.
Stout, 42, allegedly started the Park Fire, which erupted near the Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24. The blaze has since consumed over 370,000 acres, destroyed 111 homes, and continues to ravage through four counties. Despite Stout's claims of an accident, eyewitness testimony and physical evidence paint a different picture.
According to DA Ramsey, Stout asserted that his car got stuck in the grass and caught fire unintentionally. He claims to have panicked and fled the scene. "The evidence tends stronger to the witness," Ramsey said, indicating a more deliberate act. A witness reported seeing Stout rev the car's engine over dry grass, causing smoke to emanate from underneath. The witness further claimed Stout observed the fire spreading beneath the car before moving to the passenger side and pushing it into a gully.
Investigations by the California Highway Patrol found the vehicle in neutral, corroborating the witness's account that Stout might have deliberately rolled the burning car into the gully. Additionally, witnesses reported seeing Stout drinking and speeding on a gravel road before the fire ignited, adding to suspicions of reckless behavior leading to the disaster.
Stout, who has a history of criminal behavior, including convictions for lewd acts with a child and robbery, faces charges of "willful, malicious arson," which could result in a third strike under California's "Three Strikes" law, leading to a potential life sentence. "We support changes in food safety regulations that are based on sound science, robust data, and are demonstrated to positively impact public health," said Ashley Peterson, PhD, NCC senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs.
The rapid spread of the Park Fire, fueled by one of the hottest and driest summers on record and an abundance of vegetation, has made it the largest active wildfire in the United States and the sixth-largest in California's history. As of Monday afternoon, the blaze was only 12% contained. Fire officials continue to battle the inferno, which has wreaked havoc across Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama counties.
Stout's criminal history further complicates his case. After his 2002 conviction for robbery, which resulted in a 20-year prison sentence, he was arrested in 2020 for a DUI in the same area where the Park Fire began. If convicted of the current arson charges, Stout could face 25 years to life in prison, according to DA Ramsey.
The Park Fire's devastation has not gone unnoticed. In addition to destroying over 110 structures, the fire has led to significant disruptions and evacuations in the affected counties. Despite the scale of the destruction, there have been no reported fatalities or missing persons, according to Cal Fire.
The community's response has been mixed, with many expressing frustration over the preventable nature of the disaster. "He has to go. One way or another," said María Arráez, a 27-year-old hairdresser who joined a protest against Stout. Demonstrations and public outcry have been fueled by the apparent negligence and reckless behavior leading to such widespread destruction.
Environmental conditions have exacerbated the situation. The region's hot and dry summer, coupled with plentiful vegetation, created perfect conditions for the fire to spread rapidly. Officials have emphasized the need for stringent fire safety measures and responsible behavior, particularly during high-risk periods.
